BIRTH

BY A.J. CRONIN

Birth by A.J. Cronin is a deeply inspiring narrative that showcases the unwavering determination,
compassion, and professional responsibility of a young doctor, Andrew Manson. The story revolves around
a critical delivery case that tests not only his medical skills but also his emotional strength and moral
commitment. Late at night, after a long and tiring day, Dr. Manson is summoned to attend the delivery of
Joe Morgan’s first child—a moment the couple had awaited for twenty years. The gravity of the situation is
immediately clear to Andrew. Mrs. Morgan is in a fragile state, and the atmosphere is tense with anticipation
and anxiety. After a prolonged and difficult labor, the baby is born still, showing no signs of life. The moment
is heartbreaking. Yet, Andrew does not succumb to despair. Despite his exhaustion, he prioritizes saving
Mrs. Morgan, ensuring her condition stabilizes. Then, he turns his attention to the lifeless infant. Refusing
to accept defeat, he draws upon his medical training and begins a series of revival techniques—hot and cold
baths, and artificial respiration. For over thirty minutes, Andrew works relentlessly. His body is drained, but
his spirit remains unshaken. Finally, the baby gasps, cries, and begins to breathe. The transformation from
hopelessness to joy is profound. The Morgans’ long-awaited dream is fulfilled, and Andrew experiences a
deep sense of professional and personal satisfaction. The story ends on a triumphant note, emphasizing
that patience, perseverance, and dedication can turn despair into hope. Andrew’s actions reflect the true
essence of a doctor’s duty—not just to heal, but to fight for life against all odds. Birth is a celebration of
human resilience and the quiet heroism of those who serve others selflessly.

A. Short Answer Type questions:

1: Who was Joe Morgan? Why had he been waiting for Dr. Andrew Manson?

Joe Morgan was a driller in Blaenelly, a mining town. He was a big, strong and burly driller. Joe and his wife
Susan, who had been married nearly twenty years, and were expecting their first child. Joe was waiting for
the doctor to help Susan in the delivery of the child.

2: Where did Joe lead Andrew? Why did he not go in with the doctor?

Joe Morgan led Andrew to his house, 12, Blaina Terrace. His wife was about to deliver her first child after
being married for nearly twenty years. Joe was quite tensed. He refused to go inside the house. Even his
voice showed signs of strain.

3: “Don’t fret, mother, I’ll not run away”. Why do you think Andrew say so?

Mrs. Morgan’s mother offered to make a cup of tea for the doctor. The experienced woman had realized that
there must be a period of waiting. She was afraid that the doctor would leave^ the case saying that he
would return later.

4: Why did Andrew decide to remain there until everything was over?

Andrew had reached Bryngower at about midnight. He was very worried and upset. He needed some rest
and sleep. He knew that he could not sleep even for an hour if he went home. Secondly, he knew that the
case would demand all his attention. He felt lethargic and decided to remain there until everything was over.

5: What had Andrew been thinking about? How would you like to describe the state of his thoughts?

Andrew had been thinking about the unsuccessful married lives of some persons he knew. Bramwell was
foolishly devoted to a woman who deceived him immorally. Edward Page was bound to quarrelsome
Blodwen. Denny was living unhappily apart from his wife. His thoughts were muddled (confused).

6: What was Andrew’s view of marriage? Why was he resentful and confused?
For Andrew marriage was a peaceful and beautiful state. He loved Christine. The conflict between his steady
mind and overflowing heart left him resentful and confused.

7: Why did Andrew feel surprised while sitting by kitchen fire?

Andrew had been thinking about his beloved as he sat by the kitchen fire. He sat still and sadly for a long
time. When the old woman sitting opposite him suddenly addressed him, Andrew felt surprised.

8: Why did a shiver of horror pass over Andrew?

Andrew had struggled for more than an hour to help Mrs. Susan Morgan in the safe delivery of her first
child. At last, the child was born, but it was lifeless. As Andrew gazed at the still form of the baby, a shiver
of horror passed over him.

9: What dilemma did Andrew face?

His heart prompted him to resuscitate the stillborn child. His mind dictated him to attend to the mother who
was lying in a deteriorating state. Andrew faced the dilemma whom he should attend first.

10: What efforts did Andrew make to revive Susan Morgan?

He smashed a glass ampule and injected the medicine. After this he flung down the hypodermic syringe.
Then he worked quiet hard to restore the soft and weak woman. Her heart strengthened after a few minutes
of feverish effort.

11: In what state did Andrew find the newborn child? What did he conclude?

Andrew found the baby amongst wet newspapers under the bed. Its limp warm body was white and soft.
Its head lolled on the thin neck. The limbs seemed boneless. The whiteness over the body meant suffocation
caused by the lack of oxygen.

12: How did Andrew’s practical experience come handy?

Andrew had once seen a similar case in the Samaritan. He remembered the treatment that had been used
to treat the condition Asphyxia Pallida. He at once decided to administer the hot and cold water therapy.

13: What efforts did Andrew make to revive the newborn baby?

First, he laid the child upon a blanket and gave it artificial respiration. Then he dipped the child alternately
in hot and cold water. After that he rubbed the slippery child with a rough towel. He pressed and released
his chest till it began to breathe and gave a city.

14: How did Andrew react to the first glimpse of the success of his efforts to help the stillborn child come
alive?

As a result of Andrew’s persistent efforts, the small chest of the baby heaved up. This short heave was
followed by other heart beats. Andrew turned giddy. The sense of life, throbbing under his feelings almost
made him faint.

15: What was the result of Andrew’s feverish efforts after the child’s chest gave a short, convulsive heave?

Andrew redoubled his efforts. The child began to gasp deeper and deeper. A bubble of mucus came from a
nostril. The limbs were no longer boneless. The pale skin turned pink. Then the child cried. It came alive.

16: What was the state of the room after the resuscitation of mother and child?
The room was littered with blankets, towels, basins and soiled instruments. The hypodermic syringe was
impaled in the linoleum by its point. The ewer was knocked over. The kettle lay on its side in a puddle of
water.

17: Why did Andrew say, “Fill fetch my bag later, nurse”?

Andrew had worked hard single-handedly and constantly to save the mother as well as the stillborn child
from the jaws of death. The constant efforts, tension, desperation caused by failure made him feel weak
and dazed. His throat was dry.

18: How did Andrew assess that night’s work?

As Andrew left driller’s house he felt tired. He kept thinking of the work he had done that night. He realised
that at last he had done something real. For him it was an achievement.

B. Long Answer Type questions:

1: Why was Andrew Manson called in? How did he react to the call of duty?

Andrew Manson had just begun his medical practice in the small Welsh mining town of Blaenelly. He was
called in to attend to Susan Morgan, who was expecting her first child after being married for nearly twenty
years. Her husband, Joe Morgan had been waiting for an hour outside the closed surgery. It was nearly
midnight when Andrew reached there. As Joe acquainted Andrew with his wife’s condition, Andrew forgot
his own affairs. He went inside his house for his bag and immediately left for the driller’s place.

Since his services were not immediately needed by the expecting mother, he decided to wait downstairs.
He re-examined her after an hour. It was at 3:30 am when the nurse summoned him. He struggled for an
hour before the child was born. Then he worked feverishly to revive the weak mother and the stillborn child.
He had to use all his knowledge and experience in discharging his duty. He did not pay attention to his own
physical tiredness or mental tension. Duty came first and he responded to it with single-minded devotion.

2: Give a brief account of the efforts made by Andrew to revive the stillborn baby.

A shiver of horror passed over Andrew as he gazed at the still form of the newborn baby. Though it was a
perfectly formed boy, its limp warm body was white. The whiteness meant suffocation caused by lack of
oxygen -Asphyxia Pallida. Andrew remembered the treatment given to such a case in the Samaritan. Before
the hot and cold water came he had asked for, he laid the child upon a blanket and gave it artificial
respiration. Then he dipped the child alternately in hot and cold water. Now, the child was quite slippery.
He rubbed it with a rough towel. Then he pressed and released his chest till it heaved up. It was followed
by other heaves. Andrew redoubled his efforts. The child started gasping. A bubble of mucus came from one
tiny nostril. The pale skin turned pink. The limbs were no longer boneless. His head did not lie back
spinelessly. The child gave a cry. It came alive.

3: Compare and contrast Andrew’s emotional, mental and physical state at the beginning of the story and
at the end.

At the beginning of the story Andrew is physically tired and emotionally upset. He has just returned from a
disappointing evening with Christine, the girl he loved. His thoughts are heavy and muddled. The episode
he had witnessed at Cardiff station still filled his mind with sadness. Though he thought of marriage as a
blissful state, he couldn’t help remembering the miserable failure of many marriages.

At the end of the story, Andrew is physically exhausted but emotionally cheerful and mentally alert. His
mind is filled with joy and self-satisfaction. He has performed an unusual feat, no less than a miracle. He
calls upon God as witness that he has done something real at last. This sense of achievement helps him to
overcome physical fatigue. His sense of duty towards his patients helps him to attend them whole-heartedly.
He forgets his personal feelings and thinks only of reviving the patients.

4: What impression do you form of Andrew Manson on the basis of the story ‘Birth’?

Andrew Manson is a young man who has recently qualified as a doctor and started his medical
practice as an assistant to Dr Edward Page in the small Welsh mining town of Blaenelly. He is in
love with Christine and thinks of marriage as an idyllic state. His heart is overflowing with love.
His steady mind and reason help him see the marriages of many persons as dismal failures.

Andrew is mature enough to keep his private and professional fives apart. Once confronted with
his responsibility, he discharges his obligations to the utmost capacity. He is duty conscious. He is
not a theorist only. He believes in practical approach. He is pragmatic and is not afraid to try
unique methods.

Andrew has a tender heart. He is aware of the feelings of others. He knows how deeply Susan
loved her coming baby. He has polite manners and reassuring tone. On the whole, Andrew
impresses us as a dedicated doctor.

QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK

A. Reading with Insight

1. “I have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does Andrew say this? What
does it mean?

The young doctor Andrew Manson had done a commendable work. His exclamation is justified. He had not
only helped the middle-aged lady in the safe delivery of a male child but also restored them to perfect
health. Susan Morgan’s strength was ebbing after the delivery. She was almost pulse less. Andrew gave her
an injection and worked severely to strengthen her heart.

The major achievement of Andrew was to resuscitate the stillborn child. First, he laid the child of a blanket
and began the special method of respiration. Then he tried the hot and cold water treatment dipping the
baby alternately. He laboured in vain for half an hour. He then made another last effort. He rubbed the child
with a rough towel. He went on pressing and releasing the baby’s little chest with both his hands. At last
the baby responded. His chest heaved. Andrew redoubled his efforts. The child was gasping now. A bubble
of mucus came from his tiny nostril. The pale skin turned pink. His limbs became hard. Then came the
child’s cry.

Andrew called upon God as witness of his act which was no less than a miracle. It was not mere theoretical
talk but a practical achievement—something real and solid.

2. ‘There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a practicing physician.’ Discuss.

Normally, the medicines prescribed in the textbooks are used by the practicing physicians. However, in
extreme cases of emergency, the physician’s experience, resourcefulness and practical approach become
far more important than the theoretical knowledge. For example, a victim of bum-injury, snakebite or
suffocation through drowning needs immediate help. The nearest available doctor may not have all the
facilities needed for the case. In such a situation first-aid is a must to save the patient’s life before rushing
him to the hospital for proper care. With limited resources at his command, the practicing physician exercises
all his practical experience to control the damage to the minimum and check the victim’s state from further
deterioration. A stitch in time does save nine in such cases. The practical help comes as a boon.
3. Do you know or have heard of any incident when someone has been brought back to life from the brink
of death through medical help? Discuss medical procedures such as organ transplant and organ regeneration
that are used to save human life.

Yes, I have seen and heard of incidents where people have been brought back to life from the brink of
death through medical help. Surgical operations, life saving drugs and organ transplant play a leading role
in modem medical science. Leading hospitals in advanced countries have facilities for medical procedures
such as organ transplant and organ regeneration. Blood bank and eye bank are quite common. Nowadays
people willingly donate various organs of their body to the hospitals after their death. The techniques of
organ regeneration help to preserve them for certain period and use them for transplanting the defective
organ of another patient. Nowadays eye, heart, kidney and liver are being transplanted. The time is not
far off when artificial human organs will be made in laboratories from non-human sources. Transplantation
is necessary when the recipient’s organ has failed or has been damaged by disease or injury.

OR

Medical advancements have made it possible that organs to be transplanted. Organ donation is the process
of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person (the organ donor) and saving another person
(the recipient0 for whom transplantation is necessary. Unfortunately the need for organ donors is much
greater than the number of people who actually donate. Organs and tissues that can be transplanted include
heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, lung and bone marrow. Organ regeneration procedure is a step ahead in
medicine as it is a new kind of solution seen in medical labs. ‘Bioartificial’ organs are grown from the patient’s
own cells. Regenerative medicine itself isn’t new — the first bone marrow and solid organ transplants were
done decades ago. But advances in developmental and cell biology, immunology and other fields have
unlocked new opportunities to refine existing regenerative therapies and develop new ones to save human
life. Regenerative medicine holds the promise of a definitive, affordable healthcare that heals the body from
within.